RI-CAN names blogging fellows

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Campaign for Achievement Now has announced the winners of its 2012 School Reform Blogging Fellows.

Tracey Dann and Rafael Torres will blog bimonthly for the educational reform advocacy group over a period of five months. Each blogger will receive a $1,500 stipened.

Dann is a parent with children in Rhode Island public schools and a former substitute teacher. She has three children attending Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy.

“As a parent and a substitute teacher, Tracey has seen what both traditional school and public charter schools have to offer the children of Cumberland,” said RI-CAN Director Maryellen Butke in a letter announcing the winners.

“In the next few weeks, she looks forward to using the blog to advocate for her children, as well as for all the children in Rhode Island public schools,” added Butke.

Torres is a sophomore at Providence-based Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School. He serves as editor-in-chief of his school newspaper and plans to study journalism in college.

“I am thrilled that Tracey and Rafael will be giving us front-row seats to how policy plays out in Rhode Island’s public schools,” said Butke.

In a previous interview with Providence Business News, Burke said “Our fellowship aims to give a face to education reform and make the connection between what happens in the Statehouse and what happens in the classroom by giving the microphone to the people who experience education policy in practice.”

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